It has been a long time since I've seen Mr D and I was worried he would either have forgotten me, or thought that I had forgotten him.

I range the doorbell, with my apologies ready, but he opened the door with a huge smile and welcomed me inside. He had even bought a jar of decaf coffee as he knows I can't drink caffeine, and said he had been waiting for me to come back.

Coffee made, we were soon sat in the front room chatting about all sorts that has happened since my last visit. I told him all about my recent visit to The Royal Academy, and how much I enjoyed seeing the Impressionists on Paper Exhibition. Mr D said that he had been very busy with his translating, but had still found time to fit in some art work. First he showed me some of the life drawings he did at his last session, and then went through a portfolio of portraits (mainly based on photos from the Radio Times). Then finally he reached into his art box and said he wasn't sure whether to show me the painting in the wooden frame. His son had said not too, but he wanted me to see it...

I was so surprised as he presented me with a frame portrait of myself which he had done in the absence of any visits. It was so touching that he had gone to all this effort and he hoped that I would accept it as a gift. We then got talking about The Portrait of Dorian Grey, as he suggested that I might want to keep the portrait in the loft, but I explained that it was probably too late for me to keep a portrait in my loft in order to prevent me showing any signs of ageing ! 😂

It was lovely to know that he really appreciates my visits, and I am certainly looking forward to seeing him again next time.